Paula Neth To Carry On TFC’s 140-year Legacy
The Family Conservancy Names New CEO
Paula Neth To Carry On TFC’s 140-year Legacy
KANSAS CITY Metro. — Over the past five months, The Family Conservancy’s board of directors has been in the process of naming a successor for retiring president and CEO, Dean Olson. On November 1, 2019, Paula Neth was announced as Olson’s successor.
“This is a time of heightened mission visibility and recognition for The Family Conservancy. Our vision for the future has never been clearer or more compelling. Paula is unequivocally the best choice to carry that vision forward,” says Olson.
Neth started at TFC as an intern while in graduate school at the beginning of her career. She returned to the agency to lead the efforts of improving quality child care in the early 2000s. After family and life took her away from the Kansas City area for some time, she returned in 2015 as the vice president of programs. In her current role, she has overseen all of TFC’s diverse programming, and has developed new services and enhanced program delivery. She brings experience in child care quality rating systems, professional development for early educators, public policy, and early childhood system-building through strategic partnerships. Neth also brings an understanding of working parents in the corporate setting, having served as the family programs manager at Google’s corporate office.
When Olson announced his plan to retire, the agency’s board of directors formed a search committee. The committee enlisted the help of an external search consultant to assist in the comprehensive process.
“The TFC Board went through a rigorous and comprehensive executive search process to ensure we found the best candidate to lead the organization into the future. Paula Neth is that leader. Throughout her career, she has proven herself a local and national thought leader for children and family success. We are excited for our future in serving children and families in new and innovative ways,” commented TFC board chair, Stephen Nixon.
Neth states “I share TFC’s vision of bright futures for children and families, and have dedicated my career to that. The part of our work that ignited my passion for TFC’s mission years ago is how we promote the well-being of all children, particularly those who face serious socioeconomic risks and racial inequity. All children deserve the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive home and receive a quality education. I am honored to have this opportunity to lead an organization with a history of such strong leadership, and I thank Dean for all he has done. I am excited to lead us into this next chapter of innovation and growth.”
Neth will officially take on the role of president and CEO on January 1, 2020.